Meet Our Ponies
Introduction
Welcome to our very special page, our favourite page – our ponies! Below are pictures of each herd member and a little bit about them. We don’t always have their full histories but we try and focus on where they are now and the improvements they have made. We are currently home to 20 horses and ponies. We have a therapy herd of ponies who have been rehabilitated to work with people in the community. We have several retirement herds who require special veterinary care and feeding and we have some younger members who need rehabilitation. We try and keep our horses in herds that meet their social needs but also their dietary and veterinary needs. Our horses live as naturally as possible, all living out barefoot with manmade and natural shelters. During winter we provide rugs to our elderly citizens and those with certain conditions.
How do we care for our horses?
We are solely volunteer run but we are lucky to have some very experienced people on our team who are in charge of our welfare practices. Our principles are based on ‘The Five Freedoms.’
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst – by ready access to water and a diet to maintain health and vigour.
2. Freedom from discomfort, by providing an appropriate environment.
3. Freedom from pain, injury and disease by prevention or rapid diagnosis and treatment.
4.Freedom to express normal behaviour, by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and appropriate company of the animal’s own kind.
5.Freedom from fear and distress, by ensuring conditions and treatment that avoid mental suffering.
We believe that all equines should have the freedom from the above as a basic requirement and we strive to offer the best care possible in the environment we have available.
Meet The Herd
Lola
Lola is a beautiful small cob who has been with us for a couple of years she is around 7 years old. Lola lives in our therapy herd with her friends, she is very close with Blue and Bunny.
We rescued Lola from the side of the road with two other ponies and we are so lucky to have her. She has done so well in our care and we couldn’t be more proud of her.
Blue
Blue is our cheeky mini cob who has been at the sanctuary for many years. He is extremely popular with our pamper sessions and is loved by everyone in the community. Our young volunteers adore him. Blue lives with his best friend Rupert in our therapy herd and works with slightly older children in our sessions.
Blue was rescued when he was very little by a wonderful lady, we don’t like to think of what his fate held. He then came to the sanctuary to live a peaceful life.
Rupert
Rupert is our superstar mini shetland. He loves being around people and knowing exactly what is going on! He is fantastic with children of all ages. Rupert loves his herd mates and enjoys playing with Blue. They are often seen play fighting.
Rupert came to the sanctuary with his mum Bonnie and friend Maddie some time ago and enjoys his life at the herd.
Maddie
Maddie is our cutie pie mini shetland. Maddie loves being pampered and fussed by people. She is quite the princess! Maddie came to us with Bonnie and Rupert and we have always made sure they stay together in the same herd.
Maddie is in her late teens and needs extra care as she has recently been diagnosed with having issues with her knee. She has medication and we keep a close eye on her, especially during the winter months.
Bonnie
Our lovely girl Bonnie is now in her twenties and enjoys a quieter life at the sanctuary. Bonnie lives with the therapy herd as she gets very distressed if she is away from her son Rupert for too long but she does not take part in the sessions anymore as she has decided that she does not want to partake. Bonnie likes human interaction in small doses!
Bonnie previously had untreated laminitis and now requires careful monitoring and requires restrictive grazing. Bonnie is seen by our farrier regularly and we watch her closely for any changes.